The Premier League sack race: Who will be the next manager to get the boot?
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Six Premier League managers have been given the boot this season, and as we enter the business stage of the campaign, more clubs may well decide to freshen things up with a new face in the dugout for the final stages of the season. We’ve taken a look at each top-flight manager and ranked them from least likely to most likely to be the next to be sacked.
20. Jurgen Klopp
Klopp now has three pieces of silverware in charge of the Reds and is taking Liverpool from strength to strength. They sit top of the table and after winning the Club World Cup, the Premier League title is all but theirs. He’s safe.
19. Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers has made a huge impact on Leicester since his arrival from Celtic 12 months ago. The Foxes currently sit in a good place and look very much in the mix for a top-four finish. He’s recently signed a new deal so won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
18. Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has only just arrived at Arsenal and it looks like he could be in it for the long run. He isn’t going anywhere.
17. Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho’s spell at Tottenham is starting to kick into gear and they look likely to now challenge for a top-four spot. Spurs won’t have any plans of parting ways with him yet.
16. Carlo Ancelotti
In many people’s eyes, Everton pulled off a major coup by appointing Carlo Ancelotti following his sacking at Napoli. There shouldn’t be any major changes at Goodison Park for a while, especially following his impressive start.
15. Pep Guardiola
Manchester City have recently been handed a two-season Champions League ban, and it looks as if Pep Guardiola’s future could be in doubt. We feel he’s more likely to leave than be sacked, so we can’t see him getting the boot anytime soon despite the club’s off-field woes.
14. Chris Wilder
Wilder worked wonders to get the Blades back into the big time last season, and he’s doing it again in the top flight. They sit just two points off a Champions League place! He’s doing a wonderful job and we can’t see him getting the sack anytime soon. The only way he might leave is if another club makes a move to take him.
13. Nigel Pearson
The new Watford manager looks set to be given an opportunity until the end of the season to turn things around at Vicarage Road. Pearson has been fairly solid during his short stint in charge so far and has given the Hornets a real chance of staying up.
12. Frank Lampard
Lampard’s young Chelsea side started very well but they’ve had some bad results in recent weeks. The fans love him and the players love him. We think he’s safe for now, but he needs to sort out Chelsea’s home form before it becomes a serious problem.
11. Nuno Espirito Santo
Following a shaky start, Nuno has led Wolves up the table with some solid performances. They’re doing well in the Europa League as well and look back to their old ways. We can’t see him getting sacked, and the only way he could leave is if another side came in for him.
10. Sean Dyche
Burnley boss Dyche has never really gotten the praise he deserves for keeping Burnley so competitive on a relatively small budget. The Clarets have recently picked up wins over Leicester, Manchester United and Southampton, so it would be a shock if Dyche was the next manager to go.
9. Graham Potter
Potter signed a new deal on the south coast during the current campaign, so we can’t see him going anywhere just yet. If the former Swansea boss can continue to grind out results at the Amex, he’ll remain in charge. Despite impressing this season, the Seagulls are still looking over their shoulders at the bottom.
8. Ralph Hasenhuttl
Following Southampton’s 9-0 defeat to Leicester back in October, many wouldn’t have thought Hasenhuttl would still be in the Saints dugout! However, the Austrian has guided the club on an impressive run recently and looks safe for now.
7. Roy Hodgson
After a good start to the season, Crystal Palace have had a bit of a wobble under Hodgson. They’re seven points off the drop and could be dragged into a relegation battle if things don’t pick up.
6. Steve Bruce
Bruce’s appointment in the summer was frowned upon when he was selected to succeed Rafael Benitez. However, his side have produced some very good results, such as the win over Chelsea last month. He looks safe for now, but it’s never wise to predict what will happen in the future at Newcastle!
5. David Moyes
Moyes has only just been appointed as West Ham boss, however, his arrival didn’t sit well with many supporters. The Hammers are now in the relegation zone on goal difference, so if things get worse, the West Ham board may have to act again.
4. Eddie Howe
Howe has worked miracles with Bournemouth during his lengthy stay on the south coast, however, his side are currently just two points above the relegation zone. They recorded a crucial win over Aston Villa earlier this month, but he’ll need more from his Cherries side.
3. Daniel Farke
Norwich might find it difficult to sack Farke in the latter stages of the campaign, but it could be a decision they need to make pretty soon. The Canaries are seven points off safety and appear to be in real trouble.
2. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Manchester United have been a bit of a mess this season, and the club’s home form under Solskjaer has been extremely shaky. He’s overseen the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season, and despite having the board’s backing, for now, we feel that he’s one of the managers under the most pressure in the division.
1. Dean Smith
Villa were the second biggest spenders in the division in the summer, and we think boyhood fan Smith is now under pressure. Villa are currently out of the relegation zone by a single point and face some big games against teams around them over the coming weeks. If he struggles, we think he could be the next to get the boot.